Nexus, ICS & Google Search Bar

Is it true that the Google search bar is located at the top of every ICS home screen and can't be removed (as in, it's not simply a widget)? That's what I've heard and the videos I've seen certainly appear to indicate that. If so, that's really annoying. I rarely ever use the search function and don't want it cluttering ONE home screen, never mind all of them. I'd rather have the extra screen real estate to do what I want with.

Oh, don't get me wrong, it's far from a deal-breaker considering all of the strengths this phone has. I was just really surprised when I learned this and had to find SOMETHING to complain about...otherwise, the phone would be perfect and we can't have that, now can we?

It's far from a deal-breaker, true. But Android has been standing for its flexibility and customization.

Hence why CM8 might be the answer.

CM9, actually - CM8 never happened as far as the CyanogenMod team is concerned.

Originally Posted by dustinb

I wonder how Replacement Launchers will handle it. I imagine you'll just have that extra screen real estate. At least that's what I'm hoping for.

I can't think of a reason why third-party launchers would have the perpetual search bar overlay. At least I hope so lol
All I know is I'm definitely a fan of the favorites tray addition they FINALLY worked into the stock launcher.

CM9, actually - CM8 never happened as far as the CyanogenMod team is concerned.

I can't think of a reason why third-party launchers would have the perpetual search bar overlay. At least I hope so lol
All I know is I'm definitely a fan of the favorites tray addition they FINALLY worked into the stock launcher.

This might actually be the first stock launcher I can keep but I might miss having 7 homescreens, I like having them

I think the baked-in search bar may have been implemented to solve a UX conflict - they clearly wanted 4 "buttons", but in general people don't recognize more than three items intuitively - obviously we can and do learn to count and use larger numbers, but in terms of basic intuitive observation we see "1, 2, 3, many". So having only 3 buttons on the bottom should be less intimidating and easier to grasp for first time users, while the bar at the top means that search is still as easy to access as it ever was. It even gives search a place of extra prominence, which Google might not be terribly averse to.

I think the baked-in search bar may have been implemented to solve a UX conflict - they clearly wanted 4 "buttons", but in general people don't recognize more than three items intuitively - obviously we can and do learn to count and use larger numbers, but in terms of basic intuitive observation we see "1, 2, 3, many". So having only 3 buttons on the bottom should be less intimidating and easier to grasp for first time users, while the bar at the top means that search is still as easy to access as it ever was. It even gives search a place of extra prominence, which Google might not be terribly averse to.

This makes complete sense. Although does this mean using search within the context of an app wont happen anymore? Perhaps contextual searching will available through an action bar of sorts. I guess we'll see soon enough.

U can just use a new launcher. And if u don't want to then suck it up and move on. Lol. Sry. I needed to get my rant out. These forums are just filled with people complaining about the stupidest problems.

I can say that I am going to miss the dedicated search button. I think it's so useful. I don't really see why you would want to make people put search functionality right in an application when you could have a button with multiple uses (short press vs long press). I have been on android since the beginning and I never used the google search bar because the dedicated search button did all that i needed and takes very little screen space.

The best thing would be for Google to release an update that allows some customization. Barring that, it's like anything else that is new, we'll get used to it and start hating everything that is different.

Everyone is going to abandon the ICS launcher for something else, and then complain because the launcher they went to isnt hw accelerated

That list would include:

ADW
LPP

I'm probably never going it install another launcher. The only reason I ever install launchers is to get away from the manufacture's UI. I like the way ICS looks and operates and don't know of any launcher that looks better IMO.

I'm probably never going it install another launcher. The only reason I ever install launchers is to get away from the manufacture's UI. I like the way ICS looks and operates and don't know of any launcher that looks better IMO.

Same here. The only reason I ever started using third-party launchers was I wanted to be able to dock shortcuts on the bottom of the homescreens (which before now AOSP didn't have).

Originally Posted by Adrynalyne

I wouldn't count on it being quick. It will likely require a complete rewrite.

Actually, looking through the API changes for 4.0, hardware acceleration is enabled by default for apps targeting ICS.

LPP came in handy when the OG Droid didn't have enough home screens. It was a great way to add more.

Definitely true. Hopefully Fede updates LP soon, but it seems like he has abandoned it all-together. I doubt we'll see it mimic the ICS features anytime soon. I'll miss my swipe actions in LPP, but it's definitely not worth missing out on the whole ICS look and feel (and widget functionality).

It is going to be a deal breaker for me. Don't know what they are thinking. Just took a major high priced real estate away. That spot I usually have Beautiful Weather widget. If I go to a third party launcher, then I have to hope that it is hardware accelerated.

To me that search bar is just fugly and completely unnecessary. A separate button is just perfect and something I used ALL the time. In fact that is what I use to demo my Android phones to others. Look, a dedicated search button because it is after all a Google phone!

What a shame. Beautiful phone with a major wart right on the nose. Frustrating.